Mariners prepare for soccer season

Boys team starts with 36 players

The Mariners boys soccer team has started the season with a few injured limbs, but the hope is the healing will finish before the snow melts. The team of 36 boys started its first official day of practice March 25.

“Practice ends at 8 p.m., but when the boys heard the gym was going to be open later, they stayed. It is 8:40 p.m. now and these boys are just wrapping up. It proves that they are eager and excited for the season,” said Head Coach Warren Waldorf on the first day of practice.

Spring break, an extended basketball season and the Grease production tied up many of the players’ schedules, but with those events in the past, Waldorf and his team can now start focusing on the upcoming season.

“This is a completely different team from last year. We lost a lot of talent, but these guys have something different. There is a lot of talent among these boys,” said Waldorf.

Nine games are scheduled through the season with the first one against Skyview later this month.

“This year’s game schedule is the best schedule I have seen. All our games are spread out giving us plenty of rest days between the competitive teams,” said Waldorf.

Waldorf also is scouting for a new goalie as the team’s previous goalie, Grant Arseneau, looks to transition out of the net and onto the field.

“Grant has worked hard this winter to become an effective player on the field,” said Waldorf.

Girls soccer attracts 14 freshmen

By Angelina Skowronski

For the Homer News

The girls soccer team is showing it’s hungry for the season. A 6:30 a..m practice hasn’t deterred 34 Lady Mariners from showing their worth in the gym.

“It shows their dedication and commitment to the team,” said Head Coach Mickey Todd.

The team lost eight seniors last year, but gained 14 freshmen this year. For some, having a young team would be a challenge, but Todd sees the young team’s potential.

“I like having a large freshman group because it shows interest in the sport,” said Todd.

But the team is not all greenhorns. A good mix of ages will bring the team a good variety of skills and opportunities for peer-influenced improvement.

“They are pretty excited for the season. There is a lot of interest in learning the game and I see them being a competitive team,” said Todd.

The season stacks up to give the Lady Mariners 10-plus games, a solid game season considering its first two months start with snow and mud on the field. Todd said that the disadvantage will come when they play the Anchorage teams since they get more game time and field time as compared to Kenai Peninsula teams.

A number of last season’s games were close losses, and Todd is hoping to make this season more wabout close wins.

“I think we will surprise a few teams, which is always a good thing,” said Todd.